Partner content: As operators across the world pursue a shift from traditional telecoms models to a broader techco approach, executives from Unitel Mongolia and Huawei opened-up on how AI and data analytics are being utilised to drive digital transformation in Mongolia.
For chief digital officer Juldyz Bayaraa of Unitel LLC, the whole concept of digital transformation is fundamentally about reshaping how the company’s business in Mongolia operates and serves customers in this digital age.
Speaking at the WinWin Live studio at MWC25 Barcelona, Bayaraa pressed on the need to seamlessly integrate digital technology into every facet of its business, highlighting cloud computing, AI, IoT and big data analytics as key to driving operational efficiency and enhancing customer experience.
For a market like Mongolia, Bayaraa explained there is clear demand for faster and more reliable services, a need to improve efficiency through data-driven operations and competitive pressure to continuously innovate.
To achieve these aims and not only transition from a telco to a techo, but actually take a leading position in digital transformation for the market, Bayaraa outlined four key initiatives it has adopted.
Firstly, to directly benefit customers, the operator has implemented advanced intelligence-driven operations platforms including AI-powered O&M and customer experience management systems.
Secondly, to support high value services, Unitel looked to refine its network infrastructure, ensuring sustained business growth and brand strength. “By leveraging proactive assurance mechanisms, we minimise customer complaints and enhance service reliability,” explained Bayaraa.
Next, the digital chief said the operator had embraced cutting-edge technologies like AI and big data to help it make critical business decisions, optimise network planning and pave the way for future growth.
To ensure the company benefits from these strategies in the long-term, Bayaraa said it was actively exploring business opportunities in digital services and developing innovative use cases, “positioning ourselves for sustained success in the evolving tech-driven landscape”.
To support a pioneer like Unitel Mongolia, strategy partner Huawei has a long history in the country, beginning as a network equipment partner over 18 years ago.
Speaking alongside Bayaraa, President of ICT Marketing and Solutions Sales Dept at Huawei Middle East and Central Asia, Allen Tang, explained the company’s role in aiding Unitel with its digital transformation efforts, outlining three key dimensions required to complete the evolution from telco to techno.
Tang first highlighted a need to be service-orientated, which he referred to as servitization, the second is focused on platforms or platformization and finally adopting an intelligent-orientated approach – intelligentization.
On platformization, Tang said Huawei provided Unitel with a comprehensive solution, as well as the deployment of a team of experts to collaborate closely with the operator to aid a shift “from connectivity-centric to service-centric operations”.
“Together, we have planned and implemented digital transformation strategies, aligning them with Unitel’s goals to ensure sustainable growth and innovation.”
The importance of data
The journey towards digital transformation is of course complex, and the Unitel expert was keen to emphasise the importance of data analytics and science in ensuring it is able to meet targets.
Bayaraa said data empowers Unitel to not only gain deep insights into customer behaviour, preferences and usage patterns, but on the network side optimise performance, personalise content delivery and enhance customer services.
The executive explained by making such informed decisions, it can not only lead to revenue growth but also improve customer satisfaction.
Tang added Huawei was able to help Unitel in ensuring it was utilising data analytics through deeper customer interaction and collaboration; while adding it has a wide-goal to support the operator in achieving sustained business success through “data-driven strategies”.
Huawei’s approach to data encompasses the network side, as well as OSS, market-side data, BSS and external societal sources, which all power its converged data tool called DataCube.
“This solution will enable Unitel to transform data into valuable assets and open the assets for diverse application development,” he said.
By using DataCube, Tang added a range of applications can be developed by Unitel, Huawei and other partners, such as real-time marketing solutions for VoLTE, roaming, WTTx, FWA and 4G/5G user development, in addition to monetisation efforts.
Meeting the challenge
As with anycompany-wide and market transformation, challenges are always present.
Bayaraa highlighted the battle of integrating new technology with existing legacy systems, which is a complicated process. Further, there was a need for Unitel to hire and train talent skilled both in telecoms and digital technology, while cybersecurity is naturally an area that becomes a paramount concern as digital operations expand.
However, by deploying a data-driven intelligence platform, challenges around legacy systems are being met.
For Tang, the future around digital operations in telecoms will see greater emphasis placed on artificial intelligence and machine learning across the ecosystem, powered by 5G.
“We expect more robust 5G networks enabling new services and applications, along with an increased focus on sustainability as companies look to reduce their environmental impact through digital solutions,” he concluded.